How to Make it Through Your Newborn's First Days

Many parents go into parenting without some of the most important information that they will ever have. Information that doesn't come naturally, though by all means you would think it should. This information will hopefully help you to overcome your immense love for your child and to make some of the decisions that will not let that perfect little creature turn into The Creature! Beware, because that little prince or princess will capture your heart. They have the power that can make a strong man hide and a mother weep. This will not be an easy task though, especially if you let your heart rule your common sense.

Some of the information here comes from experience and some of it comes from things I have learned over the years, so ready, set, here goes.
The number one question for new parents is this.

1.Should I pick up my baby if he or she cries?
Answer: By all means pick up your baby. Babies need to know that they are to be provided for and will learn trust by having you pick them up. Check to make sure that the child is not soiled, cold, or hungry. Then just rock and hold him or her. Not for too long, though, I don't believe that there is such a thing as too long for a new baby. You don't have to worry about spoiling until the baby is old enough to put the concept together that if he or she cries, your heart melts and you will come running. Now that my babies have grown, I wish I would have held that little one just a bit more.

2.Do I have to feed my baby on a schedule?
Answer: All tiny babies must eat often. They are small with tiny tummies and a newborn can only hold a couple of ounces at a time. You can expect to feed your child at least once every three hours, though with small babies it is not uncommon to feed the baby two ounces every two hours.Yes that includes night feedings too. If you are breastfeeding, lots of luck! No, not really. Breastfeeding is one of the most natural, healthiest ways to feed your baby.(See question below.) Somewhere between six weeks and three months your child will start to stretch out that period between meals at night. Look at it this way. Just think about how nice it will be to sleep uninterrupted when the all night sleeping happens. It will be heaven and you will live when that time comes.

3.Should I breast feed my baby?
Answer: The choice is entirely up to you. Breast feeding is one of the healthiest, most natural ways to feed your baby. Those things in your bra are not just for decoration or to make your blouse look better. They are there for a reason. You must get used to pain though. It hurts. Especially in the beginning when you feel as though your sweet, little one has the suction power of Roto-Rooter. Just commit yourself to feeding your son or daughter in this natural way. Don't give up and you can succeed. It took me three children before I finally made the commitment and completely breastfed my last baby. I really wished I would have stuck it out with the other three. The good points about breast feeding is that you don't have to wash bottles or heat anything up during the night unless it's your cold feet at three in the morning. If you choose not to breast feed, don't feel guilty. Nowadays, formula is a great alternative. Your child will grow and pee and thrive and will not remember a thing unless you tell them later on.

4.How will I know if my baby is getting enough to eat?
Answer: Your baby will fall asleep in a few minutes in the first few days. He is probably much too tired to care about eating, but the hydration is important. Your baby needs liquids to make things work and for him to start growing. Little ones become quickly dehydrated, so wake him or her up by unwrapping them and letting them feel a bit of cool air on their body. Tap the bottoms of their feet to get them to pay attention. Notice, I said, tap! It will take some perseverence but in a few days that baby will become a bottomless pit. Your baby is getting enough to drink if he or she is wetting at least six diapers a day and is having a couple of bowel movements. That leads to a whole other question.

5.Why does my baby's diaper look that way?
Answer: At birth your baby's intestinal track contains all kinds of things that floated around with him for nine months. There are skin cells, hairs, and all kinds of leftovers that make their way into those first one or two diapers. The results are not pretty. The baby will pass something called meconium, which has the consistancy of black glue. It will take a package of wipes to get the stuff off of that sweet little bottom. If you are lucky the nursery might have the baby during at least one of those change times. Breastfeeding babies will have a mustard or light brown stool which seems to happen in a puppy like fashion. You feed, the baby poops. Bottle-fed babies will have fewer diaper changes. The color is darker and eventually constipation could be a problem. When your baby starts taking in real baby food, it will depend on what they eat. Beets will make it red and peas will make it green. After your baby has made it to the age of two or three, trust me, it won't matter. You will just wish you would never see another poopy diaper again.

6.Why does my baby cry?
Answer: You name it and your baby will cry for it. Face it, crying is the only way of telling you anything. He or she will cry about being hungry. If he is chewing on his fist or sucking his finger he is probably telling you he is hungry. If she hasn't had a diaper change, check it out. Some babies care a lot and others could care less. A baby that needs to sleep will lots of times cry. They cry because they just can't let go and go to sleep. A swing will help. Sometimes Daddy's arms will too. Not for just the baby either. Babies sometimes need to just cry, because crying expells energy and little babies don't really do much to expell energy so it will help to let it out. Maybe a car ride strapped tightly in a car seat will put the baby to sleep. If not, you can turn up the radio. Eventually you will be able to just
tune them out.

7.Does my baby need a bath?
Answer: The baby's bath is entirely up to you. You must wait until his umbilical cord stump drops off before you immerse him into a tub of water. The stump must be kept clean and dry and using a bit of alcohol around it will help dry it up and will help the cord come off. Your baby isn't out there digging any ditches either so sponging her off and applying a nice cream will keep your tiny one smelling like a baby should. Some babies also have extremely sensitive skin and will only be able to take a bath every couple of days or so. In the midst of things though, don't forget your own bath. Your friends and family will appreciate it.

8.Will I someday want to do this again?
Answer: When this stage passes and you miss your baby at your breast and nothing smells as sweet as that newborn in your arms, you bet!